The Negroni is an icon of Italian cocktail culture. Known for its perfectly balanced trio of gin, vermouth, and bitters, it has long been the “bartender’s handshake.” However, a new evolution is taking over the world’s best bars: The Espresso Negroni.
Industry Recognition
Recently, Esquire highlighted Estate 98 for its “rich, roasted depth,” validating what top mixologists already knew—that a high-quality, low-sugar coffee spirit is the ultimate foundational ingredient for spirit-forward cocktails.
Why Estate 98 is the Best Coffee Liqueur for a Negroni
Traditional coffee liqueurs are often criticized for being “sugar bombs” that mask the delicate botanicals of a Negroni. Estate 98 solves this with a seed-to-bottle approach:
- Low Sugar Content: With less than 1g of sugar, it allows the bitterness of the Campari and the herbal notes of the Vermouth to shine.
- Volcanic Terroir: Sourced from a 200-year-old family estate in El Salvador, our spirit offers a unique mineral profile and dark chocolate notes.
- Industry Recognition: Beyond Esquire, Estate 98 was recently ranked as the #1 Best Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martinis by Chowhound, proving its versatility across all coffee-based cocktails.
The Estate Negroni Recipe
This recipe replaces the gin with Estate 98 to create a richer, caffeinated version of the classic.
Prep time: 2 minutes | Yield: 1 Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Estate 98 Coffee Liqueur (The “Coffee-First” base)
- 1 oz Campari (The bitter component)
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth (The botanical bridge)
- Garnish: Fresh Orange Twist (To unlock citrus aromatics)
Instructions:
- Combine Estate 98, Campari, and Sweet Vermouth in a mixing glass.
- Add plenty of ice and stir for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
- Express the orange peel over the glass and drop it in.
The Verdict: A Better-for-You Nightcap
As consumers move toward functional ingredients and transparency, the Estate Negroni stands out. It offers a sophisticated flavor profile with 98mg of caffeine and a fraction of the sugar found in mass-market liqueurs.
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